Police, public clash in Tezpur

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Tezpur, April 21: Police today fired teargas shells, resorted to a lathicharge and imposed curfew to control a mob protesting police inaction against a group of youths who had attacked a Bihu troupe last night.

According to information available here, a Bihu party of Pasnoi under Dhekiajuli revenue circle was on its way to Tezpur for performing Bihu last night after their programme at Kaowimari.

The Bihu team, Pachim Dhekiajuli Moromi Bihwa Dal, was travelling in a Winger vehicle and had stopped near Bihaguri daily market on the NH 15 around 10.45pm to readjust their seating arrangements.

A group of youths accosted them and picked up a quarrel. The group attacked the Bihu troupe when the latter protested.

Bihaguri is about 18km from Tezpur town and 168km from Guwahati.

There were 18 members in the Bihu troupe. One of the members, Diganta Sarmah, who was attacked with a sharp weapon, had to be rushed to GNRC Hospitals in Guwahati.

In protest against the incident and alleged partiality of the police in apprehending the culprits involved in the incident, local residents vandalised houses of those suspected to be involved in the attack, including the house of Mainul Haque, which was set ablaze. The fire was later doused by the fire brigade.

Sonitpur SP Sanjukta Parashar told The Telegraph that the situation was under control and curfew has been imposed in the area.

“Three persons, who set the house ablaze, have been arrested today. Diganta Sarma has been released from the GNRC Hospitals. There has been no report of fresh trouble in the area so far,” Parashar said.

Local people alleged that those involved in the attack on the Bihu troupe were yet to be arrested though the police have been apprised of their involvement.

“The real culprits are roaming openly, maintaining a nexus with the police. We urge the authorities to catch the accused immediately, without which the situation will worsen, and for which the public will not be responsible. How can they attack a Bihu troupe for no reason?” one of them asked.